A sketch of a proposed new 'snug' at the Gaelic Club in Sydney. (Graphic: Supplied)

Carpenters, electricians and painters are just some of the tradies being called upon to help give the Gaelic Club in Sydney a major face-lift.

The Gaelic Club, based in Devonshire Street, Sydney, is an Irish cultural centre and a social centre for the Irish-Australian community.

The club is planning some long-overdue changes so that it can be a venue for members and the wider Irish community to enjoy.

Currently, the club is used for live entertainment, teaching of traditional music, dance and the Irish language, and has a licensed bar, dance floor, kitchen and meeting room, which members and guests can use for functions.

Designer Fiona Mathie has completed the concept plans for the improvements to the club, which have been approved by the club’s board.

These include a new bar, snug area, updated lighting, furniture and decoration of the main area, a modern meeting room with audio/visual equipment and improvements to the front entrance, foyer, stairs, signage, and balcony.

Gaelic Club director Karl Kinsella said the club is keen to hear from tradesmen in the Irish-Australian community who are willing to chip in and carry out work at cost price or “mates’ rates”.

“The club has only so much money, and big ambitions, so generous tradesmen can help us put together an attractive bar and entertainment area.

“In return, we’ll provide a club that is comfortable and looks good, where we and our families can all hear good music, have a party, or meet up with friends,” added Karl.

Gaelic Club President Paul Mortimer said pricing of the first stages of work is still ongoing, but that it is hoped the work can be completed prior to Christmas.

“At the moment we are still working out the cost. One or two people have already said they will help out, so now that we have a plan and some money, we are ready to start once some more people offer to help.”

Those willing to help out can contact Karl on 0408 965 206, or phone the Gaelic Club on 9212 1587 or info@gaelicclub.com.au.

A former Gaelic Club president has threatened to report it to ASIC, unless it admits to debt.

The Gaelic Club in Sydney faces being reported to the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) after disputing the existence of an $80,000 debt it owes to the GAA in New South Wales.

Last month, NSW GAA sent a letter of demand to the Gaelic Club, in Sydney, for an $80,000 debenture, outstanding for the last decade. A debenture is a loan certificate or written acknowledgment of one party’s debt to another.

The GAA wrote to the Gaelic Club – the commercial arm of the Irish National Association – to offer them a non-negotiable ‘final offer’ to settle the debt for $40,000.

The Gaelic Club has now responded to NSW GAA to dispute the existence of the debt.

It has also asked NSW GAA to produce evidence of how and when the debenture was paid to the club by the association.

Former Gaelic Club president, Brian Buckley, has told members he will report the club to the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), unless it acknowledges the $80,000 debt and moves to accept the settlement offered by NSW GAA.

Mr Buckley has attempted to broker an agreement between the parties but he does not have the support of the Gaelic Club board. He has now written to the club’s membership, claiming the club is insolvent.

“From 2002 to 2010 the Gaelic Club annual financial returns, supplied to the members and ASIC as a true and exact record of events and signed off by the auditors, showed a figure in long-term liabilities of  $88,000, made up of accrued interest of $8,000 and debenture principal of $80,000,” Mr Buckley writes.

“Every year these reports were adopted by members who were aware of this obligation, and was never challenged.”

Under ASIC rules, directors who are aware of insolvency trading can face penalties of up to $200,000 and be disqualified from acting as directors or company managers.

NSW GAA’s 2004 annual financial statement, the last it submitted, lists “Gaelic Club Debentures” worth $63,520 as a current asset.

Meanwhile, the Gaelic Club’s 2010 Annual Report lists the $88,000 debenture under its financial liabilities. In an accompanying note, the GAA debenture is said to be “interest free with no repayment terms applicable”.

The club is “economically dependant upon the Irish National Association”, the report shows. The Gaelic Club pays no rent on the upper level of 64 Devonshire Street.

The club made a small profit of $5,742 at the end of the 2010 financial year.

Both NSW GAA and the Gaelic Club declined to comment when contacted by the Irish Echo.

:: Fair Trading pursues NSW GAA over missing returns

In a separate development, the Irish Echo has learned that the NSW GAA has failed to lodge an annual financial statement with the Fair Trading department for six years.

In March 2005, the association lodged annual financial statements for the years 1997 to 2005 after the department’s public registry chased them over their compliance.

NSW GAA had a “poor compliance history”, said a spokesperson for the department, which has contacted the association to urge it to submit its returns for the last six years.

Committee members of associations that fail to submit annual financial statements are liable for penalties.